Document handling apparatus for photocopy machines

ABSTRACT

Compact original document sheet handling apparatus for photocopy machines is adapted such that various opposed sheet feeding and guiding elements can be conveniently, manually separated to render substantially the entire sheet feed path readily accessible, thereby facilitating retrieval of stranded original sheets therefrom.

[4 1 May9, 1972 United States Patent Morrison ....27l/64 271/9 ,27l/5l X.271/64 X Ka mam m 3 m BBFH wmmv wwww mm 33 2379 Mmfi 3333 S U T m 0 m cS k PE 4., m w H N C n m LM DY m MP I m m TO .2. NT m mm U m C m 00 w DF.m M n H U [73] Assignee: Pitney-Bowes, Inc., Stamford, Conn.

Jan. 22, 1970 [2!] Appl. No.: 4,945

Primary ExaminerJoseph Wegbreit Assistant Examiner-Bruce H. Stoner, Jr.

[22] Filed:

Attorney-William D. -Soltow, Jr., Albert W. Scribner and Martin D.Wittstein T .t mmab C wsebm A hd w R eh m A mmmem CD-Smf ISI/ H w "mH HW2 C m m r u u k m u e u m R m UhF UNITED STATES PATENTS strandedoriginal sheets therefrom.

2,627,203 Hessert................................271/80 X 9Claims,5Drawing Figures PATENTEHMAY 9 1972 SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR DOUGLAS l.MODLRISON 14M 12 MM ATTORNEY PATE'N'TEDMAY 9 1972 SHEET 2 BF 4'IM/VENTOR DOUGLAS MORRtSON ATQTORNEY PATENTEDMAY 91972 3,661,383

SHEET 3 BF 4 r-v M L r 6| 8| E 82 e3 5 lola a looar as as INVENTORDOUGLAS l. MORRISON WM '2 mm ATTORNEY l DOCUMENTHANDLING APPARATUS sonPHOTOCOPY MACHINES I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Photocopiers of thistype typically utilize original sheet handling apparatus having anassortment of feed rollers, guides, belt conveyors and diverters fortranslating the original document into,,through and out of the machine.

In most ofiice photocopy machines it isidesirable to have a multicopycapability wherein multiple copies may be made from a single originalwithout having to repeatedly manually refeedthe original into themachine.To provide this capability, the sheet handling apparatus becomesmore complex, with additional feed rollers, conveyors and guides, aswell as some sort of movable diverter or diverters for selectivelyrecycling the original through the normal feed path without operatorintervention.

There is understandably a certain reluctance among users to entrust avaluable original document to such sheethandling apparatus, fearing amalfunction or jam will result in damage or destruction of the original.If there is a malfunction or jam, the operator may encounterconsiderable difficulty in safely extracting the original documentsheet, particularly if it becomes stranded in the far reaches of itsfeed path through the interior of the copier. Considerable disassemblymay be required to extract the original, necessitating a service call.In either case, considerable valuable time is lost. 7

Attempts have been made to design original document sheet handlingapparatus in a manner to tender at least portions of theinternal feedpath accessible for removal of stranded sheets. Unfortunately, theseattempts have invariably involved considerable disassembly' of theapparatus or a complete removal of the apparatus from the photocopymachine. This has proven largely unsatisfactory, as the typical operatorhas little mechanical facility and is reluctant to undertake such aninvolved-procedure in order to retrieve sheets stranded within theapparatus. As a result, the operatorstill requires assistance from otheroffice personnel or. a-service man.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideimproved apparatus for handling original document sheets in a photocopymachine.

Another object of the invention is to provide sheet handling apparatusof the above character, which canbe readily manipulated for convenientretrieval of stranded original sheets.

An additional object of the invention is to provide original sheethandling apparatus of the above character, wherein opposed sheet feedingand guiding elements may be conveniently separated so as to rendersubstantially the entire original sheet feed pathreadily accessible forretrievalof stranded original sheets.

Still another object is to provide sheet handling apparatus of the abovecharacter, which may be manipulated by a photocopy machine operator whois unskilled in photocopy machine servicing.

A further object of the invention is to provide sheet, handlingapparatus of the above character, which is compact in size, simple indesign, and inexpensive to manufacture.

- Other objects of the invention willin part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

2 SUMMARY or THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention,there is provided sheet handling apparatus ideally suited for feedingoriginal document sheets to be copied through a photocopy machine. Theapparatus of the invention is adapted such that opposed sheet 'feedingand guiding elements can be conveniently, manually separated so as toexpose substantially the entire original sheet feed path, therebyfacilitating retrieval of stranded originals by the photocopy machineoperator who typically is unskilled in matters of servicing. As aconsequence, in the event an original sheet is stranded at some point inits feed path within the machine, the operator can effect itsremovalwithout assistance.

More specifically, the apparatus of the invention includes a covermember hinged to the photocopier machine such as to be movable betweenopen and close positions. The cover member is provided with meansdefining an entryway for original document sheets which is aligned withthe original sheet feed path when the cover member is in its closedposition. The apparatus of the invention further includes a feeddeckwhich mounts a first array of sheet feed rollers and sheet guidingelements spaced along the original sheet feed path. The feed deck ispivotally mounted to thephotocopy machine,

and is'also movable between closedand opened positions. A

feed bed fixedly mounted to the photocopier beneath the feed decksupports another array of sheet feed rollers and sheet guiding elementswhich cooperate with the feed rollers and guiding elements of the feeddeck when in its closed position to define a substantial portion of theoriginal sheet feed path.

ln operation, theapparatus accepts an original document sheet introducedthrough the entryway in the cover member and feeds it through anilluminating station where the image borne by the'original documentsheet is optically transferred to a copy sheettravelling in its ownseparate feeding path. From the illuminating station, the original sheetis returned to the operator. if more than one copy of an originaldocument is desiredfthe apparatus of the invention is adapted to recyclethe original sheet along a loop feed path, returning it to the ilbeenmade, the original is returned to the operator.

In the event of machine stoppage occurring during the time thatanoriginal document sheet is being conveyed by the apparatus of theinvention, the primary concern of the operator is to retrievetheoriginal from the sheet handling apparatus. Depending upon when in thecourse ofthe original 5 travel the stoppage occurs, the original sheetmay be partially exposed at the entryway in the covermember or at' thepoint of exit from the'feed path where it is returned to the operator.On the other hand, the original sheet may be stranded ata point in itsfeed path where it is completely out of sight.

To retrieve a stranded original sheet from the sheet han dling apparatusof the invention, the operator first lifts the .cover member to exposethe upper portion of the feed path. In

' This separates opposed feed rollers and guiding elements respectivelymounted by the feed deck and the feed bed. Thus, when both the covermember and feed deck .are opened, substantially the entire originalsheet feed path is exposed and the stranded original sheets can bereadily removed. Removal is also facilitated by the fact that the feedrollers carried by the feed deck are decoupled from the machine driveand thus free-wheeling when the feed deck is in its open position.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, which will be exemplified in the constructionhereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicatedin the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified, side elevational view of an electrostatic copieradapted with an original document sheet handling apparatus constructedaccording to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed side elevational view of the sheet handlingapparatus of the invention shown with its basic components separated forconvenient original sheet removal;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing the provisions formounting and driving the various feed rollers included in the sheethandling apparatus.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The sheet handling apparatus constructed accordingto the disclosed embodiment of the invention is generally indicated atin FIG. 1 and is shown integrated into an electrostatic photocopier ofthe direct imaging type. An original document sheet bearing the image tobe copied is inserted face up into a slot or entryway 12 formed in acover member, generally indicated at 14. The original is conveyed bysheet feeding apparatus, generally indicated at 10, to an illuminatingstation, generally indicated at 16. A light source 18 scans the imageborne by the original sheet as it travels through the illuminatingstation 16, and the reflection of the image is directed by a mirror 20and a lens system 22 to an exposure station, generally indicated at 24.The original sheet leaves the sheet feeding apparatus 10 at exit point26 and is deposited in a stacking bin or chute 28 accessible to theoperator.

Copy paper having a suitable photoconductive coating, such as Electrofaxpaper having a zinc oxide coating on one side, is drawn from a supplyroll 30 by feed rollers 32. The copy paper is cut into sheet lengthcorresponding to the sheet length of the original document by a cuttermechanism, generally indicated at 34. The cut copy paper sheet isconveyed by feed rollers 36 to a corona discharge unit 38, operating toplace a uniform electrostatic charge on the photoconductive coating ofthe copy sheet. From the corona discharge unit 38, the copy sheetisconveyed by feed rollers 40 so as to pass through the exposure station24 at the same time that the original document passes through theilluminating station 16.

In accordance with well-known electrostatic copying techniques, theimage to be copied is projected on the photoconductive coating incontact engagement with a conductive substrate of the copy paper sheet.The conductive substrate is effective to selectively discharge theuniform electrostatic charge on the photoconductive coating inaccordance with the image light intensity projected by the lens system22. The image of the indicia borne by the original document sheet istransformed into a corresponding latent electrostatic image on the zincoxide coating of the copy paper sheet. The copy sheet is then fed byfeed rollers 42 through a development station, generally indicated at44, where the latent electrostatic image is developed using a suitabletoner. From the development station 44, feed rollers 46 convey the copysheet to a drying station, generally indicated at 48, where thedeveloped image is fixed. Feed rollers 50 and 52 convey the copy sheetto a compartment 54 where successive copies are accumulated for ultimateremoval by the operator.

The foregoing description of the generally disclosed photocopier machineand its various working components is intended to set forth a suitableenvironment in which the sheet handling apparatus of the invention isadapted, and therefore should not be interpreted in a limiting sense.

The cover member 14, operating as part of the original sheet handlingapparatus of the invention, is formed having a pair of laterally spaced,depending bosses 60 to which are secured a pair of hinge brackets 61(FIG. 2). The hinge brackets 61 pivot on an elongated hinge pin 62,whose ends are mounted by stationary machine side frame members 63 (FIG.3). Thus, cover member 14 swings on hinge pin 62 from a closed oroperative position shown in FIG. 1 to an open or inoperative positionshown in FIG. 2, exposing the upper portion of the sheet feedingapparatus 10. One of the hinge brackets 61 is elongated to provideactuating arm 61a adapted to close an interlock switch 64 when the covermember 14 is in its closed position (FIG. I). When the cover member isopened, actuating arm 61a swings away from the interlock switch 64,causing the interlock switch to interrupt the supply of electrical powerto the photocopier.

The cover member 14, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, further includes a deckplate 66 which cooperates with a series of laterally spaced, dependingguide ribs 67 in directing the leading edge of an original documentsheet manually inserted through entryway 12 to the nip of feed rollers68 and 69. Deck plate 66 is formed having one or more apertures 66athrough which dogs 70 project to block the entryway 12. The dogs 70 aremounted on a rocker shaft 71 which is rotated such as to block the feedpath entryway 12 during a copy cycle when an original sheet is beingconveyed by the apparatus 10. This prevents the operator frominadvertently feeding another original while a copy cycle is in process.The cover member 14 further includes an edge guide plate 72 which isselectively laterally positioned according to the width of the originalsheet to be copied.

The original sheet handling apparatus 10, as seen in FIGS. 1 through 3',includes a hinged feed deck 75 and a stationary feed bed, generallyindicated at 76. The feed deck 75 includes a pair of laterally spacedmounting side plates 77 which are pivotally mounted on pivot studs 78mounted by and extending inwardly from each machine side frame 63. Thepivot studs 78 extend through a spool 80 carried by each side plate 77and on which is placed a torsion spring 81, which is held in place by anend cap 82. One end of each torsion spring 81 engages a stud 83 carriedby each side frame 63, while the other end of each torsion spring isengaged by each end cap 82. The torsion springs 81 urge the feed deck 75to swing upwardly about pivot studs 78 away from the feed bed 76, asseen in FIG. 2. During operation of the photocopier, the feed deck 75 islatched in a closed or operative position juxtaposed with the feed bed76, as seen in FIG. 1, by a pair of latches 85, one pivotally mounted toeach side plate 77 and engaging a latch pin 85a carried by each sideframe 63.

The side plates 77 of the hinged feed deck 75 support an array of feedrollers and guide plates therebetween. As seen in FIGS. 1 through 3,feed rollers 68 and 69 are journalled at each end in bushings 88 mountedin each side plate 77. Beyond these feed rollers is a pair of opposed,curved guide plates 90a and 90b. Guide plate 90a is shorter than guideplate 90b, such that when feed deck 75 is closed, guide plate 92 of thefeed bed 76, mounted between machine side frames 63, cooperates with theterminal portion of guide plate 90b in guiding the leading edge of anoriginal sheet around and to the nip of feed roller 69 and a feed roller93 of the feed bed 76. Feed roller 93 is journalled at each end inbushings 94 mounted by side frames 63 (FIG. 4). Opposed feed rollers 69and 93 feed original sheets into the illuminating station 16, whichincludes an upper guide plate 95 and a lower plate 96 having atransversely extending aperture 96a. Plates 95 and 96 are supportedbetween side frames 63, while plate 96 supports a glass plate 97 overwhich the original passes as the image borne on the under side thereofis illuminated from the light source 18.

The side plates 77 of the feed deck 75 also carry a pair of feed rollers100 and 101, with feed roller 101 engaging feed roller 102 of the feedbed 76 when the feed deck 75 is latched in its closed, operatingposition. Feed rollers 101 and 102 engage the leading edge of theoriginal and feed it from the illuminating station 16 along one of twopossible feed paths, depending upon whether or not multiple copies of anoriginal are to be made.

The feed deck 75 further supports a feed roller 104 supported at its endby side plates 77 for sheet feeding engagement with a feed roller 105 ofthe feed bed 76 supported between side frames 63. As best seen in FIG.1, a guide plate 108 carried by the feed-deck side plates 77 cooperateswith a guide plate 109 supported between side frames 63 to define thesegment of the original sheet feed path between feed rollers 101, 102and feed rollers 104, 105. Beyond feed rollers 104, 105, the originalsheet takes one or two possible feed paths, again depending upon whetheror not additional copies are to be made. If no further copies are to bemade, the

I original passes between feed rollers 104, 105, through exit 26,

and down an exit ramp 26a into stacking chute 28.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a first gate 110, consisting of a series ofgating elements 110a mounted on a rocker shaft 11% carried by sideframes 63, is stationed just down stream from the nip of feedrollers101, 102. Depending upon the position of gate 110, the original followsthe feed path segment leading to'feed rollers 104, 105, or is guided bythe upper curved surface of the gating elements 1 10a around theperiphery of feed roller 101. A second gate 112 similarly includes aseries of gating elements 112a mounted on a rocker shaft ll2b supportedat its ends by side frames 63. This gate 112 is stationed just downstream from the nip of feed rollers 104, 105. Depending upon theposition of gate 112, the original is fed out the exit 26 into thestacking chute 28 or is guided by the upper curved surface of the gatingelements 112a around the periphery of feed roller 104.

Guide plates 114 and 116, best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, are

supported between the feed deck sideplates 77 and serve to guide theoriginal as it is diverted bygate 112 around the periphery of feedroller 104. These guide plates further define a feed path segmentdirecting an original sheet to the nip of feed rollers 100 and 101.Apair of guide plates 118 and 120, also carried by the feed deck sideplates 77, define a feed path segment directing an original sheet fromthe nip of feed rollers 100, 101 to the nip of feed rollers 68, 69. Thedownward extending portions 121 and 122 of guide plate 116 direct theleading edge of original sheets diverted by gate 110 to the nip of feedrollers 100, 101.

As seen in FIG. 4, the left ends of the shafts for feed rollers 93, 102and 105 of the feed bed 76 extends beyond the left side frame 63 andcarrying sprockets 93a, 102a and 105a, respectively. These sprockets areengaged by a chain 130 constituting the main driving element of thephotocopy machine. Intermediate these sprockets and the left sideframe63, gears 93b, 102b and l05b are mounted on the shafts of feed rollers93, 102 and 105, respectively. As seen in FIG. 3, the'left ends of theshafts of feed rollers 68, 69, 100, 101 and 104 extend beyond the leftfeed deck side plate 77 andmount gears 68a,

'69a,-100a, 101a and 104a, respectively. Gear 68a of feed roller 68 isin continuous engagement with gear 69a of feed roller 69, and similarly,gear 100a of feed roller 100 is in continuous meshing engagement withgear 1010 of feed roller 101. When the feed deck 75 is in its closed,latched position, gear 69a assumes meshing engagement with gear 93b offeed roller 93. Similarly, gear 101a assumes meshing engagement withgear 102b of feed roller 102 while gear 104a engages gear [05b of feedroller 105.

- It is thus seen, that when the feed deck 75 is in its closed position,the chain drive directly connected to the feed rollers of feed bed 76 iscommunicated through the various gears to the feed rollers of the feeddeck 75. On the other hand, when the feed deck 75 is released by thelatches 85 and pivoted up- Wardly'to an inoperative or open position,the various feed rol-' lers of the feed deck 75 are disengaged from thefeed chain 130 and are thus free-wheeling.

As seen in FIG. 5, bushings 88 joumalling feed rollers 68 and 69 areloosely received in openings 77a and 77b formed in side plates 77. Thebushings 94 joumalling feed roller 93 are received in conformingopenings 63a formed in side frames 63. A spring 140 is looped over eachbushing 88 for feed roller 68 and each end is hooked to the upper edgeof openings 77b. It is thus seen that feed roller 68 is resilientlyurged against feed roller 69, which is, in turn, urged against feedroller 93 when the feed deck is closed. The other feed rollers of thefeed deck and feed bed are similarly mounted.

This floatable mounting of the feed rollers carried by the feed deckautomatically compensates for original sheets of varying thickness andalso facilitates the reestablishment of meshing engagement of the gearswhen the feed deck is pivoted into its operative position.

The specific operation of the sheet conveying apparatus 10 is disclosedin the copending application of Samuel W. Martin, Ser. No. 750,912,filed Aug. 7, 1968, and now abandoned and assigned to the assignee ofthis application. By way of a general description of this operation,each original sheet to be copied is introduced through entryway 12 intothe nip of feed rollers 68, 69. The original is then guided and fed byguide plates 90a, 90b, together with guide plate 92, and feed rollers69, 93 to the illuminating station 16. As the original sheet passesthrough the illuminating station 16, the image of the indicia bornethereby is transferred to the exposure station 24, as previouslydescribed. If this is the only copy desired, gates 110 and 112 arepositioned such that the original sheet passes between guide plates 108,109 and the nip of feed rollers 104, exiting at 26 into the stackingchute 28.

If multiple copies are desired, and it is determined by means notmaterial to the instant invention that the length of the original sheetis relatively short, gate is positioned such that the original sheet isguided around the periphery of feed roller 101 andbetween the nip of itand feed roller 100. The original passes between guide plates 118, andthrough the nip of feed rollers 68, 69, to be returned to theilluminating station16 pursuant to making another copy. When the last ofthe desired number of copies of a short original sheet have been made,gate 110 is automatically shifted in position such that the shortoriginal sheet is routed between guide plates 108,-109, feed rollers104, 105, and out exit 26 into the stacking chute 28.

On the other hand, if the original of which multiple copies are to bemade is found to be relatively long in length, gate 110 is automaticallypositioned such that the long original sheet passes from theilluminating station 16 to the nip of feed rollers 104 and 105. Gate112, however, is positioned such that the long original sheet isdiverted around the periphery of feed roller 104 and directed by guideplates 114, 116 to the nip of feed rollers 100, 101. The long originalsheet then passes between guide plates 118, 120 to the nip of feedrollers 68, 69, eventually returning to the illuminating station 16where its image is transferred to the exposure'station 24. When the lastof the desired number of copies of a long original sheet have been made,theposition of gate 112 is shifted such that it exits from the feed pathinto the stacking chute 28. i

As is pointed out in the above-noted copending application, theprovision of separate recycle feed paths, one short and the other long,materially reduces'the time required in producingv multiple copies oforiginal documents. That is, if the original document sheet is short, itis directed along the shorter recycle feed path, thus conserving time.On the other hand, if the original document sheet is of a length toolong to be accommodated in the short recycle feed path, it isautomatically guided along the longer recycle feed path. I

The significance of the instant invention, however, is directed to themanner in which the various feed rollers and guide plates of theconveying apparatus 10 are mounted such that the feed path for theoriginal document sheet may be conveniently exposed in the event anoriginal is stranded due to a machine stoppage. It is seen that when thecover member 14 is lifted, the upper portion of the feed path issubstantially exposed, and it may be possible to retrieve a strandedoriginal sheet without having to unlatch and swing the feed deck 75 awayfrom the feed bed 76. That is, the opposed feed rollers of the feed deckmay be manually separated by lifting up either of the feed rollers 68 or100, or both. This frees the original sheet for removal. Typicallyhowever, it is more convenient to unlatch the feed deck and swing itupwardly in order to disengage the various feed rollers of the feed deck75 from the common drive chain 130. That is, when the feed deck is swungupwardly, the gears carried by the feed roller shafts of those feedrollers carried by the feed deck are disengaged from the gearsassociated with the shafts of the feed bed feed rollers. Thus, the feedrollers carried by the feed deck 75 are free-wheeling, and strandedoriginal sheets may be readily pulled therefrom, despite the fact thatthey are in peripheral engagement.

For example, if the original sheet is engaged only between feed rollers68, 69 or feed rollers 100, 101, it may be readily pulled therefromafter the feed deck 75 is opened. On the other hand, if the originalsheet is stranded in the lower portion of its feed path, separation ofthe feed deck 75 from the feed bed 76 will produce a separation of theopposed feed rollers operating in this portion of the feed path, and thestranded original sheet may be readily extracted.

It is thus seen that, by virtue of the instant invention, a

stranded original document can be extracted regardless of where it is inthe feed path when stoppage occurs. This can be accomplished by themachine operator, safely, simply and in a moments time withoutassistance.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. in a photocpy machine, original document sheet handlin apparatuscomprising, in combination:

a cover member mounted for movement between a closed position and anopen position, said cover overlying an original sheet feed path andhaving means defining a sheet entryway to said sheet feed path when saidcover is in its closed position;

a feed deck mounting a first array of sheet feeding elements and sheetguiding elements spaced along said feed path, said feed deck beingpivotally mounted to the photocopy machine and movable between closedand open positions; and

a stationary feed bed mounting a second array of sheet feeding elementsand sheet guiding elements cooperating with said first array when saidfeed deck is in its closed position to define a portion of said feedpath,

whereby movement of said cover from its closed position to its open'position and said feed deck to its open position renders said feed pathaccessible for convenient stranded original sheet retrieval.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, which further includes meanscarried by said feed deck operable to block saidentryway and prevent theintroduction of an original sheet therethrough during the time apreceding original sheet is being conveyed along said feed path.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, which further includes meansdrivingly interconnecting said feeding elements of said feed deck andfeed bed when said feed deck is in its closed position, saidinterconnecting means automatically disconnecting said feeding elementsof said feed deck from said feeding elements of said feed bed to permitsaid feeding elements of said feed deck to become free-wheeling whensaid feed deck is pivoted from its closed position.

4. In a photocopy machine, original sheet handling apparatus comprising,in combination:

a movable cover adapted to assume an operative position, said coverhaving means defining an entryway to an original sheet feed path when inits operative position;

a feed deck pivotally mounted to the photocopy machine for movementbetween operative and inoperative positions, said feed deck carrying anarray of opposedsheet feed rollers and guide elements defining a firstportion of said feed path; and

a stationary feed bed mounting a plurality of sheet feed rollers andguide elements in positions to assume an opposed relationship with feedrollers and guide elements carried by said feed deck when assuming itsoperative position to thus define the remaining portion of said feedpath,

whereby movement of said cover and said feed deck away from theirrespective operative positions renders said feed path accessible forconvenient stranded original sheet retrieval.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein I said feed deck carries atleast one pair of opposed, peripherally engaging feed rollers with oneof said feed rollers assuming an opposed, peripherally engagingrelationship with a feed roller of said feed bed when said feed deck isin its operative position.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5, which further includes meansdrivingly interconnecting said feed rollers of said feed deck and feedbed when said feed deck is in its operative position, said feed deckfeed rollers being automatically disconnected from said feed bed feedrollers to become free-wheeling when said feed deck is pivoted from itsoperative position.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein said drivinglyinterconnecting means includes a gear mounted on the shaft of each saidfeed deck and feed bed feed rollers.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 7, which further includes resilientmeans biasing opposed feed rollers of said feed deck and feed bed intoperipheral, sheet feeding engagement and said gears into meshinginterengagement as said feed deck is pivoted to its operative position.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said feed deck and saidfeed bed further include opposed feed rollers and guide elementsdefining a recycle feed path for original sheets.

1. In a photocpy machine, original document sheet handling apparatuscomprising, in combination: a cover member mounted for movement betweena closed position and an open position, said cover overlying an originalsheet feed path and having means defining a sheet entryway to said sheetfeed path when said cover is in its closed position; a feed deckmounting a first array of sheet feeding elements and sheet guidingelements spaced along said feed path, said feed deck being pivotallymounted to the photocopy machine and movable between closed and openpositions; and a stationary feed bed mounting a second array of sheetfeeding elements and sheet guiding elements cooperating with said firstarray when said feed deck is in its closed position to define a portionof said feed path, whereby movement of said cover from its closedposition to its open position and said feed deck to its open positionrenders said feed path accessible for convenient stranded original sheetretrieval.
 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, which further includesmeans carried by said feed deck operable to block said entryway andprevent the introduction of an original sheet therethrough during thetime a preceding original sheet is being conveyed along said feed path.3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, which further includes meansdrivingly interconnecting said feeding elements of said feed deck andfeed bed when said feed deck is in its closed position, saidinterconnecting means automatically disconnecting said feeding elementsof said feed deck from said feeding elements of said feed bed to permitsaid feeding elements of said feed deck to become free-wheeling whensaid feed deck is pivoted from its closed position.
 4. In a photocopymachine, original sheet handling apparatus comprising, in combination: amovable cover adapted to assume an operative position, said cover havingmeans defining an entryway to an original sheet feed path when in itsoperative position; a feed deck pivotally mounted to the photocopymachine for movement between operative and inoperative positions, saidfeed deck carrying an array of opposed sheet feed rollers and guideelements defining a first portion of said feed path; and a stationaryfeed bed mounting a plurality of sheet feed rollers and guide elementsin positions to assume an opposed relationship with feed rollers andguide elements carried by said feed deck when assuming its operativeposition to thus define the remaining portion of said feed path, wherebymovement of said cover and said feed deck away from their respectiveoperative positions renders said feed path accessible for convenientstranded original sheet retrieval.
 5. The apparatus defined in claim 4,wherein said feed deck carries at least one pair of opposed,peripherally engaging feed rollers with one of said feed rollersassuming an opposed, peripherally engaging relationship with a feedroller of said feed bed when said feed deck is in its operativeposition.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim 5, which further includesmeans drivingly interconnecting said feed rollers of said feed deck andfeed bed when said feed deck is in its operative position, said feeddeck feed rollers being automatically disconnected from said feed bedfeed rollers to become free-wheeling when said feed deck is pivoted fromits operative position.
 7. The apparatus defined in claim 6, whereinsaid drivingly interconnecting means includes a gear mounted on theshaft of each said feed deck and feed bed feed rollers.
 8. The apparatusdefined in claim 7, which further includes resilient means biasingopposed feed rollers of said feed deck and feed bed into peripheral,sheet feeding engagement and said gears into meshing interengagement assaid feed deck is pivoted to its operative position.
 9. The apparatusdefined in claim 4, wherein said feed deck and said feed bed furtherinclude opposed feed rollers and guide elements defining a recycle feedpath for original sheets.